Compound for softening and dyeing broom-corn



NITED STATES ATENT COMPOUND FOR SOFTENING AND DYEING BROOM-CORN.

:ZPECZFICATION forming part of Letters PatentNo. 334,140, dated January12, 1886.

(X0 specimens.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN A.VAN WINKLE, a citizen of the United States,residing at St. Joseph, in the county of Buchanan and State of Missouri,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Compounds forTreating Broom-Corn, of which the following is a description.

My composition consists of the following ingredients, combined in theproportions stated, viz pure Water, thirty gallons; alum, onehalf ounce;saltpeter, one-half ounce; cidervinegar, one quart; diamond dye,(green,) one dram. These ingredients are to be thoroughly mixed byshaking. After the preparation is well stirred up the broom-corn must bedipped two or three times into it successively until thoroughlysaturated, then well drained, and placed in the bleachery for abouttwelve hours, during which timeit should be subjected to a thoroughsmoking of burning brimstone, which sets the color.

By using the above composition as stated the broom corn, moreparticularly secondclass or inferior stock, is restored to its nativegreen color, will not mold in bundles of the ordinary size in three orfour days, is ren dered more pliable and thereby more easilymanufactured, is less liable to waste while being manufactured, avoidsthe necessity of being moistened in hot dry weather, saves the troubleof drying the brooms before bunching them for marketing, saves the laborand trouble of emptying the bleach-barrel or slacktub, as mustordinarily be done every two days, because the water in its naturalstate becomes offensive and unhealthy, and the brooms made of cornsubjected to the above treatment will retain their bright green colorlonger than first-class stock, and wear longer, and are scarcely to bedistinguished from firstclass goods or brooms made of first-class stock.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- The hereindescribed compound for treating broom-corn, consisting of water, alum,saltpeter, cider vinegar, and diamond dye, (green,) in substantially theproportions specified.

JOHN ALEXANDER VAN WINKLE.

\Vitnesses:

LUKE H. Moss, J AS. H. BINGO.

